AJ Lim is hoping to get some solid play ahead of his Melbourne stint by seeing action in the Philippine Open.

WITH much more experienced players vying for the title in the ATP Challenger Philippine Open, young Filipino netter AJ Lim is keeping expectations moderate and focusing on preparations for his bid in the Australian Open juniors tournament next week.

The 16-year-old Lim, the country’s top junior netter with a ranking at No. 12 in the world, is a wild card entry in the $75,000 tournament along with Ruben Gonzales and Jeson Patrombon.

“I look at it as a preparation for tournaments like the Australian Open,” said Lim, a day before he faces 3-year-old Frenchman David Guez on Monday at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center centre court to start off the main draw.